Reply #23: I wasn't kicking Arkansas, I'm glad they did something there.

[Hubert Flottz]

These kinds of things happen all over the country. People get busted here all the time for mistreating animals. The judges here are starting to give some of these criminals some serious jail time. One thing I've always liked about our Senator Byrd, is his steady fight for the better treatment of animals.

ARKANSAS DEALER PLEADS GUILTY - FINES UP TO 10 YEARS IN JAIL AND $5MILLION

Chester Baird, 58, owner/operator of Martin Creek Kennels near Williford, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering, conspiracy, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of more than $5 MILLION. Baird's wife, Patsy, 58, pleaded guilty to failure to report a crime in connection with mail fraud the Bairds admittedly committed while buying/selling animals. Chief U. S. District Judge Leo Holmes hasn't set a sentencing date for Patsy Baird yet. As part of the negotiated plea, the Bairds agreed to surrender about 700 acres of land valued at $1.1 million to the government. The agreement resulted in the permanent revocation of licenses that allowed the Bairds to legally sell and breed animals.

The case, which cited numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act, was settled before a trial was to start. Baird sold animals to nearly 50 research facilities making $584,000 in 2001 alone. Witnesses were prepared to testify that the Bairds were seen buying dogs at a monthly flea market in Ripley, Mississippi and preparing false acquisition records. Those documents made it appear that the animals were bought from licensed breeders or shelters when they actually weren't. Baird, is also employed as a Church of Christ minister and an insurance adjuster. More...

http://www.associatedhumanesocieties.org/showarchive.asp?id=145

It sounds like Chief U. S. District Judge Leo Holmes, means business. I'm sorry he didn't give the criminal 30 years!